2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Nevada

Overview

Statewide

By district

Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Nevada by district:

District 1

This district covered most of the City of Las Vegas, as well as parts of North Las Vegas and parts of unincorporated Clark County. Incumbent Democrat Shelley Berkley, who had represented the district since 1999, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 51.2% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+9.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Shelley Berkley, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Mark Budetich Jr, Merchant Marine electrician and candidate for the 3rd district in 2002, 2004 and 2006

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Kenneth Wegner, Gulf War veteran, part-time bail enforcement agent, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2004 and nominee for this seat in 2006

Eliminated in primary

• Chris Dyer, veteran and restaurateur
• Eve Ellingwood, former judge
• Ed Hamilton, former Chrysler executive and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2006
• Ray Kornfield, casino worker
• Russ Mickelson, former Air Force pilot, retired Defense Department employee, for this seat in candidate in 2006 and nominee in 2004
• Mike Powers, candidate for Mayor of Honolulu

Results

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Duensing, radio talk show host, nominee for this seat in 2004 and 2006

Independent American primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Caren Alexander

General election

Predictions

Results

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 2

Heller:
Derby: This district covered all of Nevada except for parts of Clark County. Reno, along with surrounding Washoe County, casts about 70% of the district's vote. The 2nd District had been represented by Republicans continuously since its creation. Incumbent Republican Dean Heller, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was elected with 50.3% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+8.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dean Heller (Carson City), incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• James Smack, pawn shop manager

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jill Derby (Gardnerville), chair of the Nevada Democratic Party, former Regent for the University and Community College System of Nevada and nominee for this seat in 2006

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

Polling

Predictions

Results

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 3

This district covered the suburbs of Las Vegas, including Henderson, parts of North Las Vegas and Summerlin, and much of unincorporated Clark County. Incumbent Republican Jon Porter, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 48.5% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+1.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jon Porter (Boulder City), incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Carl Bunce
• Jesse Law

Results

Democratic primary

Leading Democratic candidates included Fraud Examiner Andrew Martin and Clark County prosecutor Robert Daskas, but Daskas dropped out in late April, citing family concerns. After losing their top candidate, the Democratic Party quickly recruited Titus, who had previously declined to run.

Candidates

Nominee

• Dina Titus (Las Vegas), Nevada Senate Minority Leader and nominee for Governor in 2006

Eliminated in primary

• Barry Michaels, chiropractor, ex convict and candidate for this seat in 2006
• Anna Nevenic, writer, peace activist, candidate for this seat in 2004 and 2006
• Carlo "Tex" Poliak, trash collector, Republican candidate for Governor in 2002 and for U.S. Senate in 2004

Withdrawn

• Robert Daskas, Clark County prosecutor
• Andrew Martin, fraud examiner (running for the state assembly)

Declined

• Maggie Carlton, state senator
• Tessa Hafen, former press secretary for US Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and nominee for this seat in 2006
• Lawrence Lehrner, nephrologist and husband of Shelley Berkley
• Rory Reid, Clark County Commission Chair
• Richard Perkins, Henderson Police Chief and former Speaker of the Nevada Assembly

Results

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Joseph Silvestri, teacher, realtor, nominee for this seat in 2004 and 2006

Green primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bob Giaquinta

Independent American primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Floyd Fitzgibbons, insurance agency owner and nominee for State Controller in 2006

Other Candidates

• Jeffrey Reeves (Independent)

General election

Campaign

Porter was considered to be at risk due to the increasingly Democratic electorate in the 3rd District, having won by only 48% to 46% in 2006 against a former aide to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. George W. Bush had barely won this district with 50% to 49% for John Kerry in 2004.

Endorsements

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

Polling

Predictions

Results

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

Notes

References

References

1. "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
2. "Cook Political Report, PVI for the 110th Congress". Cook Political Report.
3. (27 July 2008). "CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
4. (6 November 2006). "2008 Competitive House Race Chart". [[The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.
5. (2 November 2006). "2008 House Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report.
6. (6 November 2008). "2008 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball.
7. (7 November 2008). "Battle for the House of Representatives". Real Clear Politics.
8. "Race Ratings Chart: House". Congressional Quarterly Inc.
9. (February 20, 2008). "Jill Derby resigns as party chair to run against Dean Heller". Nevada Appeal.
10. "Red to Blue 2008". DCCC.
11. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090522114013/http://www.lvrj.com/hottopics/politics/polls/november_2008_2_polls.html LVRJ Oct 2 2008]
12. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090522114224/http://www.lvrj.com/hottopics/politics/polls/october_2008_3polls.html LVRJ Oct 2008]
13. (29 April 2008). "To Dems’ dismay, Daskas drops out". Las Vegas Sun.
14. [https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2008/04/top-democratic-house-challenger-drops-out-008202 Top Democratic House challenger drops out] Martin Kandy II. Politico.com ''The Crypt''. April 28, 2008.
15. (5 May 2008). "Nevada: Titus Has Democratic Field to Herself in 3rd". Roll Call.
16. (11 July 2007). "Porter Finally Gets a Foe". Roll Call.
17. (19 September 2007). "OK, he was fourth on the list, but he's taking on Porter". Las Vegas Sun.
18. (10 October 2008). "Dina Titus leading her opponent in Nevada’s 3rd CD". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
19. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090522114151/http://www.lvrj.com/hottopics/politics/polls/october_2008_2polls.html LVRJ 3rd Oct 2008]